Luke 6:47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

The Bible is your book of instruction!

Receiving God's best and giving God your best begins with recognizing your assignment(s) in life. It is fully realized by embracing instruction in your life.

Think of all the best things in your life. Now think of the broken or unfulfilled things in your life. A lot of disappointment in your life is related to instructions you have ignored.

Imagine trying to drive around a large city where there were no traffic lights and signs (instructions). There would be frustration, accidents and chaos. This is how a life looks that lacks instruction. Instructions are for our protection and our provision. Instruction is often the difference between success and failure.

Isaac offers a powerful example of the power of instruction to preserve and prosper your life:

Genesis 26:1 There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. 2 Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” 6 So Isaac dwelt in Gerar…12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him.13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.

Because of following instruction, Isaac not only survived a famine, but thrived in the midst of it! And so can you!

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Face Your Big Challenge. Raise Your Faith Level.

Friday, January 21, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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Matthew 14:15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

Just when the disciples felt the day was done and that they could send the people away, Jesus prepared to raise their level of faith.

The disciples realized that the people must have been hungry, but it did not enter into their minds that thousands could be fed with small provisions. The disciples' "solution" to the challenge was to send the people away hungry. They told Jesus that the people NEEDED to go away. Jesus said, "They do not need to go away." The real NEED that day was for disciples to discover the love and power of Jesus. We know the rest of that amazing story!

When you feel like you have to walk away from a big challenge, remember that the Miracle Worker is with you. Rather than trying to avoid, you can face your big challenge head-on with the power of God.

We need to become more acquainted with the power of God than with making excuses!

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Established and Anointed by Your Assignment

Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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2 Corinthians 1:17, Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God

In 2 Corinthians, Paul gives us some insight into some of the challenges he faced in fulfilling his God-given assignment. In verses 8-9 he wrote, "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."

Needless to say, he encountered a very difficult set of circumstances. He even "dispaired of life," meaning that his life was in danger.

What kept Paul was his clear focus on God's assignment for his life. He maintained focus on the promises of God. He continued to walk by faith and not by sight. He turned his challenging season into another reason to trust God more!

This is an example of the importance of knowing and doing your assignment. When we are pursuing God's work, His promises become clearer. As Paul said in verse 20, "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."

God always says "YES" to his purposes and promises! Fulfilling your assignment keeps you close to His purposes and promises.

Paul wrote in verse 21, "Now He who establishesus with you in Christ and has anointed us is God."

Your assignment is anointed because it is empowered by God's promises (His Word). You are established by power of the Holy Spirit!

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Celebrate the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday, January 17, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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A Life-Lifting Word for You Sunday at New Covenant Indy | "The Perfecting Power of Your Anointed Assignment"

Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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Removing Unbelief: A Key Benefit of Prayer & Fasting

Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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Matthew 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

"Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food." (Dallas Willard)

Jesus' disciples could not help a child that was brought to them. They BELIEVED that they could help the child, but were unable to do so. They asked Jesus, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said, "Because of your unbelief."

Wait a minute! If the disciples had a problem with unbelief, why did they try to cast out the demon?

Unbelief is not only a lack of belief or lack of faith. Unbelief is also a lack of preparation.

Prayer & fasting helps "this kind" to "go out." I don't think the text necessarily means "this kind" of demon (even though some Bible versions indicate this). I think Jesus is talking about "this kind" power and presence of God going forth from (or out of) those who prepare themselves to minister to people. The real subject of this text is not demons, but faith in God.

Regardless of your interpretation, it is clear that prayer and fasting help us go to a higher level of functioning by faith. Part of that higher level comes from not placing our usual emphasis on food and things natural/earthly. Faith is more than believing. Faith is acting on the Word of God.

Prayer is the most important spiritual activity we take and fasting enhances that activity.

Join the New Covenant Church family in prayer and fasting January 11-13, 2010. Skip at least one meal per day and alter your routines to change your focus and make more time for prayer.

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Why are you doing what you do?

Monday, January 10, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Why do we act? What are the motivations behind our actions?

We sometimes act because we feel badly when we see a need. Sometimes taking action makes us feel better. Sometimes we act because we "need to be needed."

I want to suggest that these are all lesser motivations that are not sustainable in the long run and can lead to manipulation by others. Living and acting only by "feeling" is like riding a roller coaster!

Taking action "in the name of Jesus" means that we act based on God's purpose/plan and under His authority. Giving thanks to Father God in the midst of our actions keeps us focused on the right priorities.

Have a blessed and fruitful day!

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A Life-Lifting Word and Vision for 2011! "God's Best, Your Best!"

Saturday, January 08, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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No Babel. NOW is the Time to Agree!

Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Bryan Hudson
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Genesis 11:5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Matthew18:19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The Book of Genesis records the story of people building a tower outside of God's will and purpose. The tower was not intended to be a "skyscraper" high-rise building, but some kind of pagan or man-centered monument.

What was most interesting about this endeavor is that God recognized that the people were in full agreement, both in their words and their intent. The Lord said, "Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." This was the power of agreement. However, the people practiced the RIGHT principle at the WRONG time, so God broke up the agreement by confusing their languages. Babel means "confusion."

Fast forward to Matthew's account of Jesus teaching His disciples about the principle of agreement. He taught His disciples essentially the same principle as practiced by the people. However, in this case, it was the RIGHT principle at the RIGHT time!

Here at the beginning of 2011, local churches are hearing timely statements of vision and purpose from senior leaders. God is making His purposes known throughout faithful leaders.

NOW is the time to get in agreement with vision, mission, purpose and practice!

NOW is the time to let our intentions, words and action align with your pastor and church mission!

NOW is the time allow the Lord to release His full measure of blessing upon those who dare to agree to do God's will!